film festival

Angela Allen says she can credit director Carol Reed’s 1949 thriller, "The Third Man" for launching her career. "Carol was a wonderful mentor," said the longtime script supervisor, who went on to work on nearly 100 films in a career that spans from the late 1940's to early 2000's. She reflected on her career Thursday night after the film's screening at the 18th Ebertfest.

Allen, who spoke with Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips and Ebertfest director Nate Kohn after the screening, said shooting in post-World War Two Vienna was a challenge.

The final slate of six films announced for next month’s Ebertfest in Champaign adds a second silent film to the schedule, and two 2015 movies honored for their performances. The recent releases include ‘Love and Mercy’…..depicting famed Beach Boy Brian Wilson’s battle with mental illness at two periods of his life. The festival will also show ‘Grandma’ starring Lily Tomlin.

This week, we're talking with Alex Larson about the Peoria Park District's inaugural Artist and Comic Expo. The event features many guests and creators with ties to the region -- including voice actor Larry Kenney, who worked on the 1980s animated series "Thundercats." Artists Jenny Frison and Hilary Barta, who currently work in the comic book industry, also grew up in and around Peoria. The Expo also includes film screenings, panel discussions and activities aimed at children. The Artist and Comic Expo will be held May 9th and 10th at the Bonnie Noble Center.

When filmgoers attend Roger Ebert’s 16th annual film festival in Champaign next spring, they’ll be able to pose with the famous Urbana native. A fundraiser campaign aims to build a life-size sculpture of Ebert, and unveil it as part of the festival in late April, outside the Virginia Theatre. The bronze tribute to the late Urbana native and longtime Chicago Sun-Times critic places him in the middle of three theater seats, giving the trademark ‘thumbs up.’